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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida and WUSF can help. Our responsibility at WUSF News is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

COVID-19 deaths in Florida increase by 1,324 as new cases continue to decline

The state hasn't reported this many COVID-19 deaths in one week since the week ending Oct. 7, 2021.

Another 1,324 Floridians have died from COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health's weekly coronavirus report released on Friday.

It’s the largest weekly increase in deaths since the week ending Oct. 7, 2021. The state’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 66,279.

The United States surpassed 900,000 COVID deaths on Friday.

New cases and hospitalizations continued to decline in Florida. The state reported an additional 132,622 coronavirus cases for the week ending Thursday, down from 198,718 the week before.

As of Friday evening, there were 8,132 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Florida. That's down more than 15% from a week earlier.

The positivity rate for new cases statewide dropped 5.5% to 18%. Rates in the greater Tampa Bay region declined as well, but most counties except for Pinellas still reported figures higher than the state average.

Vaccinations increased slightly, as 74% of Florida residents aged five and older have received at least one shot.

The following is a summary from Jan. 28-Feb. 3.

Cases: 5,610,370 positive cases, an increase of 132,622 from the previous week.

Vaccinations: 15,325,335 Florida residents have been vaccinated, a weekly increase of 26,828. In all, 74% of Florida’s population over the age of five has received at least one dose of vaccine, up one percent from a week ago.

Positivity Rate: The positivity rate for new cases statewide was 18%, down from 23.5% the previous week.

Deaths: A total of 66,279 Florida residents have died from a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, an increase of 1,324 from the previous week.

(NOTE: Cases and deaths in the report may have happened days or weeks earlier, according to state officials. The state is also now only counting deaths involving Florida residents.)

County Breakdown:(Jan. 28-Feb. 3)

CountyCases (Increase)Positivity (prv.)# Vaccinations% Vaccinated (prv.) *
Hillsborough355,347 (8,590)19.4% (25.6%)974,69269% (68%)
Pinellas197,833 (5,717)18.0% (25.2%)653,65469% (68%)
Polk191,731 (5,268)20.7% (27.6%)447,33066% (65%)
Sarasota84,059 (3,246)20.8% (22.7%)328,72377% (77%)
Manatee90,834 (2,922)20.0% (23.8%)267,72869% (69%)
Pasco116,068 (3,680)21.6% (28.9%)350,73367% (67%)
Hernando40,044 (1,383)26.0% (28.5%)113,69061% (60%)

* - Vaccination rate now includes children ages 5-11 years old.

ABOUT THE DATA: As of June 4, 2021, the Florida Department of Health no longer offers daily updates on coronavirus data, and instead issues a county-by-county and statewide weekly breakdown on about COVID-19 cases, deaths, and other information. Cases and deaths in the report may have happened days or weeks earlier, according to state officials. The state is also now only counting deaths involving Florida residents.

I cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
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